Dernières Actualités

Get to know the inspiring Otaymah Bonds

Otaymah Bonds is the owner and CEO of a non profit company, Eternal Women, Inc. She is also a beauty, lifestyle, and fashion writer, blogger, singer, dancer, model, makeup artist, image Consultant and pageant girl.

Get to know more about her inspiring story!

You won 9 awards and the crown of 2016 StarJewel National Ms Supreme Queen. What does that title represent ? Winning not only the Supreme Ms title, but the Vision Award means that I ranked top in my division overall in the nation. It also means that I was the entrant who touched the hearts of those at the pageant, and was the most inspirational person. Most of all the title of 2016 Star Jewel National Ms Supreme Queen means that the real work begins. It's not just about winning the crown and title. Don't get me wrong I do love shiny crowns and lively sashes, but it means more to me. Winning meant that I gave it my all and I won against myself. I am my biggest competition. It means that now it's time to do something with the title to enrich this world. It's not about the title and crown, it's what you do with it that counts.

What is your favorite pageant or which pageant do you recommend others to compete in?I would highly recommend that others compete in the Star Jewel pageant system, or its sister pageant, American Royal Beauties (ARB). The director of Star Jewel and ARB, Susan West, is not only an outstanding director who prides herself on professionalism, she's a woman with a heart who takes pageantry and the well being of each contestant seriously. Sarah, their contestant correspondent is also very warm, but above all she is as thorough as thorough can be and beyond welcoming. No matter how many questions you have or how many emails are sent she is gracious and helpful. I know because I send a ton of emails fully loaded with questions!I would also recommend that persons compete at Global United Pageants. Simply stated, this pageant system really does focus on community service and activism within the community , indeed, within the world. Wendy, the director, and Rose, the E-Director and coordinator are awesome!

For you, what constitutes true beauty ?True beauty is being yourself; as imperfect and flawed as that may be. Each and every one of us is truly beautiful, because we are unique and beautiful in God's eyes. It's essential to see the bigger picture of your personal beauty and love yourself, for we all have a gift to give to this world that is individual, special, and vastly important.

What one word best describe you?Sincere

Some people say that beauty pageants are degrading to women, same with fashion magazines. How can you convince them that they’re wrong?Fashion and beauty are not about degrading women at all. Actually, both entities give women platforms to express themselves. If we look at history we'll see that most industries are male based and run, but not pageantry. Pageantry started as entertainment with a male focus but quickly shifted to be a powerful vessel through which women became independent, business owners, and were able to express themselves. Pageantry afforded women opportunities that they would not have had otherwise.Fashion is a means of personal demonstration. It goes beyond what may be thought of as frivolous to an entity of cultural communication and gives insight into historical context. When women couldn't own anything, nee even themselves, they could dress to show how they were feeling and who they were. The same is true today. Many fashion magazines have female editors, photographers and the like. Again, here is another platform for development of womankind.Both pageantry and fashion give women the opportunity to shine and to learn about themselves. In learning there is knowledge, and knowledge is power. Through both pageantry and fashion, women have literally changed the world.

What is your opinion about pageants that are being held worldwide for kids (-18 year old) ? Do you support these kind of pageants or are you against them? Please explainI am for pageants that are uplifting to any age group.

What do you expect to gain by competing in pageantry?I expect to gain myself. Through pageantry I've acknowledged my weaknesses and learned how to overcome them and get stronger in those areas. Preparing for a pageant can get be a strenuous process, but it is richly rewarding.

Who has the greatest influence on your life?God and my mother, Dr Judy Hankins. God because he is the end all be all and I know that I must answer to him one day. I want to be able to say I treated my fellow man with love and respect, and utilized every single talent, opportunity, and moment given to me. My mother because she is the greatest mother of all time and a phenomenal woman. She's beyond supportive, beyond glamorous, and most of all beyond patient with her daughter. She is a truly virtuous woman full of love and Gods grace and faith. She's a gift this world and to me.

What is the best thing that happened to you ?Realizing that I'm not perfect but that's okay. I make mistakes. The best thing I learned was that if I learn from them it's alright.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?I'm proud of giving back. No matter what, even if I don't have much, I give it. That's what we are here for-to learn and to love.

What is something you wish you could do?I don't really wish. I believe in wishes as they pertain to goals. You see, I and all others are capable of far beyond what we initially deem possible, or even think at any given moment in time. It's just that we give way to societal pressures, should's, ought to's, fear, and doubt. I don't subscribe to those philosophies. I know that whatever I think or have an idea of MUST be possible, or god wouldn't have gifted it to me. He wouldn't have made me. Therefore, I wish I could keep on rising and being a better person each day. That is what I am doing and what I will do.